Serena avoids major upset against 17-year-old

The performance from Williams was so different from the opening two sets against teenager McNally. In total, the youngster had previously only competed in the main draw of five top-level events.

She will now face Petra Martic, the No. 22 seed from Croatia for a place in the quarterfinals.

She failed to convert four match points in all that day, ceded six games in a row and lost 7-5 in the third.

"This is where I feel like my game's at, " De Minaur said.

"When I went out there, I just anxious about myself", McNally said. I don't know. I think it's super-exciting tennis.

"It's not the first time I'm facing this kind of adversity or challenge".

Fast start from Williams as she races to 40-0. Williams, however, swiftly struck back, erasing three game points Martic held in the next game before breaking for 1-1 with a forehand victor down the line.

It has been a hard year for Williams with countless injuries and setbacks. "I had to stop making errors". It was just too many.

"'Serena, you made way too many errors today. I'll do better. I promise". "Are you really 17 years old?"

The French Open champion, 23, saved a set point in the second before taking her fourth match point to win 6-2 7-6 (7-2) on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

"I was also lucky to find my way back in the second set and to win in straight sets", Djokovic added.

Instead, McNally played the match of her life on the biggest stage in tennis and against one of the greatest to ever play the game and it was shots from Swiss great Federer's repertoire that gave her a fighting chance.

"I survived tonight", said Williams. Whether it has something to do with being in NY or just her form, it has been pretty hard to stop her.

McNally a year ago won the U.S. Open girls' doubles title alongside Coco Gauff and was delighted with the way she dealt with the step up in quality and experience against Williams. Unsurprisingly, it has provided ample motivation.

"She really came out and played really well, she showed no fear", said Williams.

Where can I get tickets forSerena Williams vs Petra Martic? . Second and third set, she obviously picked up her level.

But Williams puts back-to-back backhand returns long.

Federer can't let this short streak of slow starts continue - he's been able to overcome them thus far, but as he gets further into the US Open, that's just not a realistic game plan. I definitely am interested to watch, ' Williams said. Djokovic won't play again until Friday and until then, "I'll probably freeze my arm for 48 hours, not do anything with it and see what happens".

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